Non-dehiscent black-seeded sesame variety sesaco 55

ABSTRACT

Non-dehiscent black-seeded sesame ( Sesamum indicum  L.) designated (S55) is herein disclosed. Its degree of shatter resistance, or seed retention, makes S55 suitable for mechanized harvesting.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a new Sesamum indicum L. variety with non-dehiscence appropriate for mechanized harvesting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sesame, or Sesamum indicum, is a tropical annual cultivated worldwide for its oil and its nut flavored seeds. The sesame plant grows to a height of about 52-249 cm, and at its leaf axils are found capsules which contain the sesame seed. Upon maturity in nature, the capsules holding the sesame seeds begin to dry down, the capsules normally split open, and the seeds fall out. Commercially, the harvester tries to recover as much seed as possible from mature capsules. From ancient times through the present, the opening of the capsule has been the major factor in attempting to successfully collect the seed. Harvesting methods, weather, and plant characteristics all contribute to the amount of seed recovered.

The majority of the world's sesame is harvested manually. With manual non-mechanized methods, it is desirable for the sesame seed to fall readily from the plant. Manual harvesting is labor intensive. Efforts to mechanize or partially mechanize harvesting met with limited success.

A breakthrough was accomplished when non-dehiscent (ND) sesame was developed and patented by Derald Ray Langham. ND sesame was found to possess the proper characteristics which would enable mechanical harvesting without the seed loss disadvantages reported with prior varieties. Later, an improved non-dehiscent (IND) character was identified by Langham which also allowed for mechanical harvesting.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,100,452; 6,815,576; 6,781,031; 7,148,403; and 7,332,652 each disclose and claim non-dehiscent sesame cultivars having various characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention comprises a seed of sesame variety designated Sesaco 55 (S55), a sample of said seed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185.

In another aspect, the invention comprises a sesame plant produced by growing the seed of sesame variety S55, a sample of said seed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185.

In yet another aspect, the invention comprises plant cells derived from a sesame plant, said plant produced by growing the seed of sesame variety S55, a sample of said seed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185. The plant cells may be selected, for example, from pollen, tissue culture of regenerable cells, and asexually reproducing cultivars.

In yet another aspect, the invention comprises a sesame plant having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of sesame variety S55, a sample of the seed of said variety having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185.

In another aspect, the invention comprises a sesame plant regenerated from a tissue culture of regenerable cells produced from plant cells derived from sesame variety S55, a sample of said seed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185, wherein said regenerated sesame plant has all the physiological and morphological characteristics of said sesame variety S55. The plant cells may be derived from S55 seeds or plant cells from tissue from a sesame plant produced by growing the seed of sesame variety S55.

In another aspect, the invention comprises a method of producing sesame seed, comprising crossing a first parent sesame plant with a second parent sesame plant and harvesting the resultant sesame seed, wherein said first or second parent sesame plant was produced by growing seed of sesame variety S37, a sample of said seed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the lineage of S55.

FIGS. 2 through 8 compare Sesaco 55 (S55) to the Sesaco varieties: Sesaco 25 (S25), Sesaco 26 (S26), Sesaco 28 (S28), Sesaco 29 (S29), Sesaco 30 (S30), and Sesaco 32 (S32).

FIG. 2 depicts a comparison of the percent of seed retention during Shaker Shatter Resistance testing from 1997 to 2008.

FIG. 3 depicts a comparison of the mean improved non-dehiscent visual rating in Uvalde, Tex., and Lorenzo, Tex., in 2008.

FIG. 4 depicts a comparison of the composite kill resistance ratings in Uvalde, Tex., in 2008.

FIG. 5 depicts a comparison of the mean days to physiological maturity in Uvalde, Tex., in 2008.

FIG. 6 depicts a comparison of the yield at drydown in Uvalde, Tex., and Lorenzo, Tex., in 2008.

FIG. 7 depicts a comparison of the lodging resistance rating in Uvalde, Tex., and Lorenzo, Tex., in 2007.

FIG. 8 depicts a comparison of the mean weight of 100 seeds in grams from 1997 to 2008.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Herein disclosed is a black-seeded sesame variety designated Sesaco 55 (or “S55”), which exhibits Non-Dehiscence (ND) characteristics and other desirable characteristics which make it a commercially suitable sesame line.

S55 exhibits improved shatter resistance, acceptable resistance to common fungal diseases, and a maturity that allows a wide geographical range. Further, S55 exhibits desirable seed size and a black seed color which is in demand for certain food uses.

S55 is suitable for planting in areas that have approximately a 21° C. ground temperature when planted in the spring and night temperatures above 5° C. for normal termination. An exemplary desirable geographical area for S55 is from South Texas at the Rio Grande to southern Kansas and from east Texas westward to elevations below 1,000 meters. Other exemplary areas are areas of the United States or of the world which areas have similar climatic conditions and elevations.

Sesame plants have been studied for their response to seasonal and climatic changes and the environment in which they live during the different phases and stages of growth and development. This type of study, called “phenology” has been documented by the inventor in Langham, D. R. 2007. “Phenology of sesame,” In: J. Janick and A. Whipkey (ed.), Issues in New Crops and New Uses, ASHS Press, Alexandria, Va.

Table I summarizes the phases and stages of sesame, and will be useful in describing the present invention.

TABLE I Phases and stages of sesame Stage/Phase Abbreviation End point of stage DAP^(z) No. weeks Vegetative VG Germination GR Emergence 0-5 1− Seedling SD 3^(rd) pair true leaf length =  6-25 3− 2^(nd) Juvenile JV First buds 26-37 1+ Pre-reproductive PP 50% open flowers 38-44 1− Reproductive RP Early bloom EB 5 node pairs of capsules 45-52 1   Mid bloom MB Branches/minor plants 53-81 4   stop flowering Late bloom LB 90% of plants with no open 82-90 1+ flowers Ripening RI Physiological maturity  91-106 2+ (PM) Drying DR Full maturity FM All seed mature 107-112 1− Initial drydown ID 1^(st) dry capsules 113-126 2   Late drydown LD Full drydown 127-146 3   ^(z)DAP = days after planting. These numbers are based on S26 in 2004 Uvalde, Texas, under irrigation.

There are several concepts and terms that are used in this document that should be defined. In the initial drydown stage in Table I, the capsules begin to dry and open. This stage ends when 10% of the plants have one or more dry capsules. The late drydown stage ends when the plants are dry enough so that upon harvest, the seed has a moisture of 6% or less. At this point some of the capsules have been dry for 5 weeks in the example used in Table I, but in other environments for other varieties, the drying can stretch to 7 weeks. The “ideal harvest time” is at the end of the late drying stage. At this point, a combine (also sometimes referred to as a combine harvester, a machine that combines the tasks of harvesting, threshing, and cleaning grain crops) can be used to cut and thresh the plants and separate the seed from the undesired plant material. However, at times, weather may prevent harvest at the ideal time. The plants may have to remain in the field for as much as an additional four weeks, and in some cases even longer. Thus, time t₀ corresponds to the ideal harvest time and time t₁, which corresponds to the time the grower actually harvests the sesame is a time later than time t₀.

The pedigree method of plant breeding was used to develop S55. Sesame is generally self-pollinated. Crossing is done using standard techniques as delineated in Yermanos, D. M. 1980. “Sesame. Hybridization of crop plants,” Am Soc Agronomy-Crop Sci of America, pp. 549-563 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452. Ashri provides an overview of sesame breeding in Ashri, A. (1998). “Sesame breeding,” Plant Breed. Rev. 16:179-228 and Ashri, A. 2007. Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). In: R. J. Singh, Ed., Genetic Resources, Chromosome Engineering, and Crop Improvement, Vol. 4, Oilseed Crops, p. 231-289, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., USA

The lineage of S55 is presented in FIG. 1.

JC4b (1) was a line obtained from Mitsubishi Corporation in 1997 and first planted in the Gilleland nursery (Uvalde, Tex.) and the Schwartz nursery (Wall, Tex.) in 1997. Within Sesaco, JC4b first carried the identifier 1896 and was later changed to TJC4 and then to TJC4b to denote that it had black seed.

G8 (2) was a line obtained from D. G. Langham in 1977 and first planted by Sesaco in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. It was a selection from the cultivar ‘Guacara’ which D. G. Langham developed in Venezuela in the 1950s. Guacara was an initial selection from a cross that later produced one of the major varieties in Venezuela—Aceitera. Within Sesaco, G8 first carried the identifier X011 and was later changed to TG8.

111 (3) was a line obtained from the NPGS (PI173955) in 1979 and first planted by Sesaco in the Woods nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. NPGS obtained it in 1949 from W. N. Koelz, USDA, Beltsville, Md. who obtained it from India. Within Sesaco, 111 first carried the identifier 0858 and was then changed to X111. In 1985, a selection of this line became Sesaco 4 (S04).

192 (4) was a line obtained from the M. L. Kinman in 1980 and first planted by Sesaco in the Woods nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. The line was originally T61429-B-4-1-3 from the Kinman USDA sesame program, College Station, Tex., which had been in cold storage at Ft. Collins, Colo. In 1997, the line was transferred to the NPGS, Griffin, Ga. and given the identifier PI599462. Within Sesaco, 192 first carried the identifier 1479 and then was changed to X191 and X193. In 1985, a selection from X193 became Sesaco 3 (S03) and a selection of X191 became Sesaco 7 (S07).

V52 (5) was a cultivar designated as SF075 obtained from the Sesamum Foundation (D. G. Langham, Fallbrook, Calif.) collection in 1977 and first planted by Sesaco in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. The Sesamum Foundation obtained it from B. Mazzani (Maracay, Venezuela) in 1960. Originally, it was a cultivar known as Venezuela 52 developed by D. G. Langham in the 1940s. Within Sesaco, V52 first carried the identifier 0075 and was later changed to TV52.

SOMALIA (6) was a line obtained from the NGPS (PI210687) in 1979 and first planted in Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1979. The NGPS obtained it from the Administrazione Fiduciaria Italiana della Somalia, Mogadishu, Somalia. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier 0730.

118 (7) was a line obtained from the NGPS (PI425944) in 1979 and first planted in Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1979. The NGPS obtained it in 1978 from P. F. Knowles, University of California, Davis, Calif., who collected it in Pakistan. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier 1118 and then changed to X118 and then to T118.

193 (8) was a selection from 192 which was a line obtained from the M. L. Kinman in 1980 and first planted by Sesaco in the Woods nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. The line was originally T61429-B-4-1-3 from the Kinman USDA sesame program, College Station, Tex., which had been in cold storage at Ft. Collins, Colo. In 1997, the line was transferred to the NPGS, Griffin, Ga. and given the identifier PI599462. Within Sesaco, 192 first carried the identifier 1479 and then was changed to X191 and X193. In 1985, a selection from X193 became Sesaco 3 (S03) and a selection of X191 became Sesaco 7 (S07).

MAX (9) was a line obtained from the Sesamum Foundation (D. G. Langham, Fallbrook, Calif.) in 1977 and first planted in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. It was obtained with a designator of SF116 and was named Maximo (Canasta). The Sesamum Foundation obtained it from Maximo Rodriguez in 1961. He had collected it from Mexico where it was known as Instituto Regional Canasta. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier 0116 and then changed to TMAX.

R234 (10) was a named variety obtained from D. M. Yermanos in 1978 from his sesame program at the University of California at Riverside. It was first planted in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier 0544 and then changed to T234.

958 (11) was a line obtained from the Sesamum Foundation in 1977 and first planted in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. It was obtained with a designator of SF411 and was named G958-1. The Sesamum Foundation obtained it from John Martin in 1962 who had obtained it from the D. G. Langham breeding program in Venezuela. Within Sesaco, G958-1 carried the identifier 0411.

982 (12) was a line obtained from the Sesamum Foundation in 1977 and first planted in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. It was obtained with a designator of SF477 and was named G53.98-2. The Sesamum Foundation obtained it from John Martin in 1962 who had obtained it from the D. G. Langham breeding program in Venezuela. G53.98-2 was a cross made by D. G. Langham in 1953 in Guacara, Venezuela. Within Sesaco, 982 carried the identifier 0477 and then changed to T982.

G53.80-1 (13) was a line obtained from the Sesamum Foundation in 1977 and first planted in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. It was obtained with a designator of SF471. The Sesamum Foundation obtained it from John Martin in 1962 who had obtained it from the D. G. Langham breeding program in Venezuela. G53.80-1 was a cross made by D. G. Langham in 1953 in Guacara, Venezuela. Within Sesaco, G53.80-1 carried the identifier 0471.

701 (14) was a line obtained from the NGPS (PI292145) in 1979 and first planted in Woods nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. The NGPS obtained it in 1963 from Hybritech Seed International, a unit of Monsanto, U.S., which obtained it from Israel. In viewing this material in 1986, A. Ashri of Israel concluded that it was an introduction to Israel. The material is similar to introductions from the Indian subcontinent. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier 0701 and then changed to X701. In 1984, a selection from X701 became Sesaco 5 (505).

111X (15) was an outcross in the 111 (2) plot BT0458 in the Nickerson nursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1982. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier E0745 and later changed to T111X.

888 (16) was a cross between 192 (4) and V52 (5) made by Sesaco in the Nickerson nursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1982. Within Sesaco, 888 first carried the identifier F888 and then changed to T888.

H6778 (17) was a cross between Somalia (6) and 118 (7) made by Sesaco in the Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1984. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier H6778.

R234 TALL (18) was an outcross in the R234 (10) strip in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1979. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier X026.

045 (19) was a cross between G8 (2) and 958 (11) made by Sesaco in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier B045 and then changed to T045.

036 (20) was a cross between 982 (12) and G53.80-1 (13) made by Sesaco in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1979. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier C036 and then X036. In 1984, a selection from X036 became Sesaco 6 (S06).

195 (21) was an outcross selected in the 192 (4) in plot MN4584 in the McElhaney nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1983. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier E0690 and then changed to X195.

S11 (22) was a cross between G8 (2) and 111X (15) made by Sesaco in the Nickerson nursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1982. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier F804; in 1988, a selection of this line became Sesaco 11 (S11).

076 (23) was a cross between MAX (9) and R234 TALL (18) made by Sesaco in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1979. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier C076 and then changed to T076.

H6432 (24) was a cross between 193 (8) and 076 (23) made between by Sesaco in the Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1984. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier H6432.

H6785 (25) was a cross between 045 (19) and 036 (20) made by Sesaco in the Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1984. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier H6785.

H6562 (26) was a cross between 195 (21) and 701 (14) made by Sesaco in the Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1984. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier H6562.

J3208 (27) was a cross between H6778 (17) and H6432 (24) made by Sesaco in the Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1985. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier J3208.

J3222 (28) was a cross between H6785 (25) and H6562 (26) made by Sesaco in the Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1985. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier J3222.

K3255 (29) was a cross between J3208 (27) and J3222 (28) made by Sesaco in the Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1986. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier K3255.

88F (30) was a cross between S11 (22) and 888 (16) made by Sesaco in the Sharp nursery (Roll, Ariz.) in 1988. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier LCE01 and then changed to X88F and then T88F.

S16 (31) was a cross between K3255 (29) and S11 (22) made by Sesaco in the Wright nursery (Roll, Ariz.) in 1987. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier KAP11 and then changed to XFXA. In 1991, a selection from XFXA became Sesaco 16 (S16).

702 (32) was a line obtained from the NGPS (PI292146) in 1979 and first planted in Woods nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. The NGPS obtained it in 1963 from Hybritech Seed International, a unit of Monsanto, U.S., which obtained it from Israel. In viewing this material in 1986, A. Ashri of Israel concluded that it was an introduction to Israel. The material is similar to introductions from the Indian subcontinent. Within Sesaco, it has carried the identifier 0702.

BI791 (33) was a cross between 88F (30) and S16 (31) made by Sesaco in the Gilleland nursery (Uvalde, Tex.) in 1992. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier BI791.

72A (34) was an outcross selected in the 702 (15) strip SL2140 in the Ramsey nursery in 1984. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier X702A and then T72A.

S17 (35) was a cross between S11 (22) and 72A (32) made by Sesaco in the Wright nursery (Roll, Ariz.) in 1987. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier KAN22 and then changed to X7AB. In 1992, a selection from X7AB because Sesaco 17 (S17).

88K (36) was a cross between BI791 (33) and S17 (34) made by Sesaco in the Friesenhahn nursery (Knippa, Tex.) in 1994. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier, CM586 and then changed to X88K. A selection became Sesaco 27 (S27).

S55 (37) was a cross between JC4b (1) and 88K (36) made by Sesaco in the Gilleland nursery (Uvalde, Tex.) in Year 1 (hereinafter “Year” is abbreviated as “YR”). The original designator was HG840.

The seed (G840) was planted in plot TJ11 in the Gilleland nursery in YR2. Five black seeded plants were selected. However, the plot was segregating light colored seed indicating that the JC4b parent was heterozygous for seed color.

The seed of one of the plants (1523) was planted in plot 7640 in the Gilleland nursery in YR3. Two plants were selected because they were earlier than 88K, had seed to the top of the plant, and shatter resistance.

The seed from one of the plants (2450) was planted in plot 1487 in the Gilleland nursery in YR4. Six plants were selected because they had black seed and shatter resistance.

The designator was changed to BJ4C. The seed from one of the plants (3815) was planted in plot 7017 in the Panther City nursery (Batesville, Tex.) in YRS. Five plants were selected because they had lot of capsules in the row, were good individuals, had black seed, and had shatter resistance.

The seed from two of the plants (2333 and 2274) were planted in plots 4580 and 4583 in the Gilleland nursery in YR6. Two plants were selected from each plot because they had very good shatter resistance at the end of the season long after the plants had dried down, and the yield was among the best for black lines.

The seed from two of the plants (0432 and 0461) were planted in plots 4301 and 4303 in the Gilleland nursery in YR6. A bulk of 22 plants from plot 4301 and a bulk of 20 plants from plot 4303 were selected because they had more visual yield than the other selections.

The seed from the two bulks (2528 and 2530) were planted in four strips (VJ07, VJ17, VJ21, and VJ77) in the Gilleland nursery in YR7. Most of the seed from these strips was harvested for testing in farmer fields.

The materials were bulked and planted on a farmer experimental field for testing under commercial conditions in 2008. The seed was designated S55.

Along with breeding programs, tissue culture of sesame is currently being practiced in such areas of the world as Korea, Japan, China, India, Sri Lanka and the United States. One of ordinary skill in the art may utilize sesame plants grown from tissue culture as parental lines in the production of non-dehiscent sesame. By means well known in the art, sesame plants can be regenerated from tissue culture having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of the source plant.

The present invention includes the seed of sesame variety S55 deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185; a sesame plant or parts thereof produced by growing the seed deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185; any sesame plant having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of sesame variety S55; any sesame plant all the physiological and morphological characteristics of a sesame plant produced by growing the seed deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185. The present invention also includes a tissue culture of regenerable cells produced from the seed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185 or a tissue culture of regenerable cells from sesame variety S55 or a part thereof produced by growing the seed of sesame variety S55 having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185. A sesame plant regenerated from a tissue culture of regenerable cells produced from the seed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185 or from sesame variety S55, wherein the regenerated sesame plant has all the physiological and morphological characteristics of sesame variety S55 is also contemplated by the present invention. Methods of producing sesame seed, comprising crossing a first parent sesame plant with a second parent sesame plant, wherein the first or second parent sesame plant was produced by seed having been deposited under ATCC Patent Deposit Designation No. PTA-10185 is part of the present invention.

Unless otherwise stated, as used herein, the term plant includes plant cells, plant protoplasts, plant cell tissue cultures from which sesame plants can be regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, plant cells that are intact in plants, or parts of plants, such as embryos, pollen, ovules, flowers, capsules, stems, leaves, seeds, roots, root tips, and the like. Further, unless otherwise stated, as used herein, the term progeny includes plants derived from plant cells, plant protoplasts, plant cell tissue cultures from which sesame plants can be regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, plant cells that are intact in plants, or parts of plants, such as embryos, pollen, ovules, flowers, capsules, stems, leaves, seeds, roots, root tips, and the like.

Sesame cultivar S55 has been tested experimentally over several years under various growing conditions ranging from South Texas to the Caprock of Texas. Sesame cultivar S55 has shown uniformity and stability within the limits of environmental influence for the characters listed in Table II below. Table II provides the name, definition, and rating scale of each character as well as the method by which the character is measured. Under the rating section, the rating for S55 is presented in bold text. Additionally, the distribution of the character in Sesaco's sesame development program is indicated under the rating section. Sesaco uses slightly different character specifications from “Descriptors for sesame”, AGP:IBPGR/80/71, IBPGR Secretariat, Rome, (1981) and from the form “Sesame (Sesamum indicum)”, U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Variety Protection Office, Beltsville, Md. The descriptors in those documents were developed in the early 1980s and have not been updated to incorporate new concepts in sesame data collection.

Table II provides characteristics of S55 for forty-three (43) traits. Numerical ratings and values reported in this table were experimentally determined for S55 with prior sesame varieties in side by side replicated trials. Actual numerical values and ratings for a given variety will vary according to the environment, and the values and ratings provided in Table II were obtained in the environment specified in the parenthetical following the S55 rating. Table V provides a direct comparison between the new S55 variety and the prior varieties thus demonstrating the relative differences between the varieties in the side by side trials.

TABLE II Characters Distinguishing the S55 Line Character Rating Methodology (1) BRANCHING S55 = B The amount of branching on any STYLE (All crops, all nurseries) particular plant depends on the space The potential amount of Subjective rating based on around the plant. In high populations, true branching in a line the following values: branching can be suppressed. This rating U = Uniculm - no should be based on potential as expressed branching except weak on end plants and plants in the open. branches in open True branches start in the leaf axil B = True branches below the first flower, and they begin to Distribution within Sesaco emerge before the first open flower. As based on stable lines in long as there is light into the leaf axils, the crossing program in there will be additional branches that start 1982-2001 (Total number below the first branches in subsequently of samples tested = 1,333) lower nodes. Weak branches occur when U = 42.4% a plant is in the open. They develop in the B = 57.6% lowest nodes and subsequent branches start at higher nodes. There are lines that will not branch in any circumstance. Some lines in the open will put on spontaneous branches late in the cycle. True and weak branches do not have a capsule in the same leaf axil, whereas the spontaneous branches form under the capsule after the capsule has formed. Spontaneous branches are not counted as branches. There are rare lines where the flowering pattern is to put on flowers on lower nodes late in the cycle. In this case, the capsule is formed after the branch is developed. This pattern should not be termed spontaneous branching, and the branch is normally counted as a true branch. There are branched lines that have secondary branches on the branches. In a few cases, there can be tertiary branches. Additional branches generally appear in low populations. COMMENTS: the effects of light appear to have more of an effect on branching than moisture and fertility. High populations suppress branching. (2) NUMBER OF S55 = 1 Rating can be taken from about 60 days CAPSULES PER LEAF (All crops, all nurseries) after planting through to the end of the AXIL Subjective rating based on crop. The predominant the following values: NUMBER OF CAPSULES PER LEAF number of capsules per 1 = Single AXIL is highly dependent on moisture, leaf axil in the middle 3 = Triple fertility, and light. In triple capsule lines, the half of the capsule zone Based on potential as central capsule forms first, and axillary described in the methodology capsules follow a few days later. Triple presented herein capsule lines have the potential to put on Distribution within Sesaco axillaries, but will not do so if plants do not based on stable lines in have adequate moisture and/or fertility. In the crossing program in drought conditions, some triple capsule 1982-2001 (Total number lines will produce only a central capsule for of samples tested = 1,327) many nodes. In these lines, when there is 1 = 58.3% adequate moisture through rain or irrigation, 3 = 41.7% some will add axillary capsules on only new nodes, while others will add axillary capsules to all nodes. Some triple capsule lines will not put on axillary capsules if there is no direct sunlight on the leaf axil. To date, lines with single capsules have nectaries next to the central capsule in the middle of the capsule zone while triple capsules do not. However, some lines have what appear to be nectaries on the lower capsules of triple lines, but upon close examination, they are buds which may or may not eventually develop into a flower and then a capsule. In most triple capsule lines, the lower and upper nodes have single capsules. There are some lines where the end plants can put on 5 capsules/leaf axil and a few that have the potential to put on 7 capsules/leaf axil. 5 and 7 capsules only appear with open plants with high moisture and fertility. In some environments, single capsule lines will put on multiple capsules on 1 node and rarely on up to 5 nodes. These lines are not considered triple capsule lines. (3) MATURITY CLASS S55 = M for 98 days The basis for this data point is DAYS The maturity of a line in (Uvalde nursery^(a,) 2005-2008) TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY relation to a standard Subjective rating based on (Character No. 29). S24 is the standard line. Currently, the the following values: line to be used to compute MATURITY standard line is S26 at V = Very early (<85 days) CLASS. In 1998-2001, the maturity of S24 100 days E = Early (85-94 days) averaged 95 days in the Uvalde, TX, M = Medium (95-104 nursery. Through 2006, the standard was days) adjusted using S24. As S24 was phased L = Late (105-114 days) out of commercial planting, a new standard T = Very late (>114 days) needed to be established, and S26 was Distribution within Sesaco selected. In 2001-2006 S26 averaged 5 based on stable lines in days longer than S24. For each line, the the crossing program in physiological maturity for each year is 1998-2001 (Total number subtracted by the S26 maturity for that of samples tested = 650) year in that nursery, and then the number V = 1.2% of days of difference is averaged. The E = 26.8% average is then added to 100. M = 56.2% See DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL L = 12.9% MATURITY (Character No. 29) for the T = 2.9% effects of the environment on MATURITY CLASS. (4) PLANT S55 = B1M The first character is the BRANCHING PHENOTYPE (All crops; all nurseries) STYLE (Character No. 1), followed by the A three character Subjective rating based on NUMBER OF CAPSULES PER LEAF designation that the following values: AXIL (Character No. 2), and then the provides the branching BRANCHING STYLE MATURITY CLASS (Character No. 3). style, number of U = Uniculm - no When these characters are placed in a capsules per leaf axil, branching except weak matrix, there are 20 potential phenotypes. and the maturity class branches in open The phenotype provides an overview of B = True branches the general appearance of the plant. There NUMBER OF CAPSULES is a very high correlation between PER LEAF AXIL MATURITY CLASS and HEIGHT OF 1 = Single PLANT (Character No. 5). 3 = Triple MATURITY CLASS V = Very early (<85 days) E = Early (85-94 days) M = Medium (95-104 days) L = Late (105-114 days) T = Very late (>114 days) Distribution within Sesaco based on stable lines in the crossing program in 1998-2001 (Total number of samples tested = 650) U1V = 0% U3V = 1.1% U1E = 3.8% U3E = 8.3% U1M = 16.0% U3M = 12.0% U1L = 3.4% U3L = 2.2% U1T = 0.5% U3T = 0.6% B1V = 0% B3V = 0.2% B1E = 8.0% B3E = 6.3% B1M = 23.2% B3M = 4.8% B1L = 6.5% B3L = 1.0% B1T = 1.6% B3T = 0.4% (5) HEIGHT OF PLANT S55 = 123 cm The measurement is made after the The height of the plant (Uvalde nursery, 2008) plants stop flowering. For plants that are from the ground to the Value based on an the not erect or have lodged, the plant should top of the highest average of a minimum of be picked up for the measurement. In most capsule with viable three plants (unit of lines the highest capsule is on the main seed measure: cm) stem. In lines with the dt/dt alleles Distribution within Sesaco (determinate), the highest capsule is on based on stable lines in the branches. the crossing program in COMMENTS: this height is dependent 1999-2001 (Total number on the amount of moisture, heat, fertility, of samples tested = 2274) and population. Increased values generally low = 56 cm; high = 249 cm increase the height. In a high population, 1 = <94.6 cm; 5.2% the height will only increase if there is 2 = <133.2 cm; 34.6% adequate fertility and moisture; otherwise, 3 = <171.8 cm; 54.9% the height will be shorter. In low light 4 = <210.4 cm; 5.1% intensities, the heights are generally taller. 5 = >210.3 cm; 0.1% avg. = 134.8 cm, std = 23.5 6) HEIGHT OF FIRST S55 = 53 cm The measurement is made after the CAPSULE (Uvalde nursery, 2008) plants stop flowering. For plants that are The height of the first Value based on an the not erect or have lodged, the plant should capsule from the average of a minimum of be picked up for the measurement. In most ground to the bottom of three plants (unit of lines, the lowest capsule is on the main the lowest capsule on measure: cm) stem. True branches have capsules higher the main stem Distribution within Sesaco than on the main stem except when the based on stable lines in flowers fall off the main stem. the crossing program in Occasionally, on weak branches, the 1999-2001 (Total number lowest capsule is on the branches. of samples tested = 2274) There are lines that flower in the lower low = 20 cm; high = 193 cm nodes late in the cycle, and, thus, the 1 = <54.6 cm; 52.7% measure-ment should be taken after 2 = <89.2 cm; 45.5% flowering ends. In many lines the first 3 = <123.8 cm; 1.5% flower does not make a capsule, and, thus, 4 = <158.4 cm; 0.3% this height may not be the same as the 5 = >158.3 cm; 0.1% height of the first flower. The height is avg. = 54.2 cm, std = 14.3 correlated to the length of time to flowering, the earlier the lower the height. COMMENTS: see HEIGHT OF PLANT (Character No. 5) for effects of environmental factors (7) CAPSULE ZONE S55 = 70 cm The measurement is derived by LENGTH (Uvalde nursery, 2008) subtracting the HEIGHT OF FIRST The length of the Value based on an the CAPSULE (Character No. 6) from the capsule zone. The average of a minimum of HEIGHT OF PLANT (Character No. 5). capsule zone extends three plants (unit of COMMENTS: see HEIGHT OF PLANT from the bottom of the measure: cm) (Character No. 5) for effects of lowest capsule on the Distribution within Sesaco environmental factors main stem to the top of based on stable lines in the highest capsule on the crossing program in the main stem. 1999-2001 (Total number of samples tested = 2274) low = 18 cm; high = 188 cm 1 = <52 cm; 4.7% 2 = <86 cm; 53.5% 3 = <120 cm; 41.3% 4 = <154 cm; 0.5% 5 = >153.9 cm; 0.1% avg. = 80.6 cm, std = 17.2 (8) NUMBER OF S55 = 24 pairs The count is made after the plants stop CAPSULE NODE (Uvalde nursery, 2008) flowering. On opposite and alternate PAIRS Value based on an the arranged leaves, each pair of leaves is The number of capsule average of a minimum of counted as one node pair. In some lines, node pairs from the three plants (unit of there are three leaves per node for at least lowest capsule node to measure: number) part of the plant, and those are counted as the highest node with Distribution within Sesaco one node pair. In some plants, flowers may capsules with viable based on stable lines in not have produced capsules on one or seed on the main stem the crossing program in more of the leaf axils in a node. These of the plant 1999-2001 (Total number node pairs should still be counted. Node of samples tested = 2154) pairs on the branches are not counted. low = 10; high = 54 In years when the amount of moisture 1 = <18.8; 17.9% available to the plant is irregular, node 2 = <27.6; 48.3% pairs can become very irregular, 3 = <36.4; 29.5% particularly on triple capsule lines. In the 4 = <45.2; 3.6% upper portions of the plant, it may become 5 = >45.1; 0.7% easier to count the capsule clusters and avg. = 25.3, std = 6.4 divide by 2. While it is possible to count node pairs after leaves have fallen, it is much easier to count while the leaves are still on the plant. COMMENTS: the number of node pairs is dependent on the amount of moisture and fertility. Higher moisture and fertility increases the number of node pairs. (9) AVERAGE S55 = 3.0 cm Divide the CAPSULE ZONE LENGTH INTERNODE LENGTH (Uvalde nursery, 2008) (Character No. 7) by the NUMBER OF WITHIN CAPSULE Value based on an the CAPSULE NODES (Character No. 8). ZONE average of a minimum of COMMENTS: this length is dependent The average internode three plants (unit of on the amount of moisture, fertility, and length within the measure: cm) population. Increased values generally capsule zone Distribution within Sesaco increase the length. In a high population, based on stable lines in the length will only increase if there is the crossing program in adequate fertility and moisture; otherwise 1999-2001 (Total number the length will be shorter. In low light of samples tested = 2145) intensities, the lengths are generally low = 1.09 cm; high = 8.09 cm longer. 1 = <2.49 cm; 6.2% Past methodologies have measured the 2 = <3.89 cm; 74.6% internode length at the middle of the 3 = <5.29 cm; 18.6% capsule zone. Some have measured it at 4 = <6.69 cm; 0.4% the median node and others at the median 5 = >6.68 cm; 0.1% CAPSULE ZONE LENGTH. avg. = 3.35 cm, std = 0.66 (10) YIELD AT S55 = 1,253 kg/ha On 3 replicated plots, when the plants DRYDOWN (Uvalde nursery, 2008) are dry enough for direct harvest, cut a An extrapolation of the S55 = 514 kg/ha minimum of 1/5000 of a hectare (Sesaco yield of a field by taking (Lorenzo nursery, 2008)^(b) uses 1/2620) in the plot and place the sample yields Values based on the plants in a cloth bag. Thresh the sample in average of a minimum of a plot thresher and weigh the seed. three replications (unit of Multiply the weight by the appropriate measure: kg/ha) multiplier based on area taken to provide Distribution within Sesaco the extrapolated yield in kg/ha. based on stable lines in In the Almaco thresher there is about the crossing program in 3% trash left in the seed. Since yields are 1999-2001 (Total number comparative, there is no cleaning of the of samples tested = 1828) seed done before the computation. If other low = 67 kg/ha threshers have more trash, the seed high = 2421 kg/ha should be cleaned before weighing. 1 = <537.8 kg/ha; 5.6% COMMENTS: yields increase with 2 = <1008.6 kg/ha; 15.6% moisture and fertility. However, too high a 3 = <1479.4 kg/ha; 51.5% moisture can lead to killing of plants. Too 4 = <1950.2 kg/ha; 25.8% high fertility can lead to extra vegetative 5 = >1950.1 kg/ha; 1.4% growth that may not lead to higher yields. avg. = 1114.6 kg/ha, The optimum population depends on the std = 331.2 PLANT PHENOTYPE, Character No. 4 (BRANCHING STYLE, Character No. 1; NUMBER OF CAPSULES PER LEAF AXIL, Character No. 2; and MATURITY CLASS, Character No. 3) and row width. (11) RESISTANCE TO S55 = NT In a year when there is a drought, this DROUGHT Average of a minimum of rating can be used to differentiate the The relative amount of three plots of a subjective effects of the different lines. This is a resistance to drought rating based on the subjective rating requiring a rater that is following values: familiar with the performance of the line 0 to 8 scale under normal conditions. The rating is 7 = Little effect from based on how the drought changes the drought line from normal. Thus, a short line that 4 = Medium effect from does not change significantly in a drought drought may have a higher rating than a tall line 1 = Considerable effect which is affected by the drought even from drought though the taller line is taller in the drought Intermediate values are than the short line. used. Distribution within Sesaco based on stable lines in the crossing program in 2000 (Total number of samples tested = 632) low = 0; high = 8 1 = <1.6; 0.8% 2 = <3.2; 28.0% 3 = <4.8; 36.1% 4 = <6.4; 34.5% 5 = >6.3; 0.6% avg. = 4.1, std = 1.2 (12) LEAF LENGTH S55 = 20.7 cm for 5^(th) Select one leaf per node to measure The length of the leaf node pair; 19.7 cm for from the 5^(th), 10^(th), and 15^(th) node pairs from blade from the base of 10^(th) node pair; and 14.5 cm the base of the plant. All the leaves for one the petiole to the apex for 15^(th) node pair line should be collected at the same time. of the leaf from the 5^(th), (Uvalde nursery, 2008) Some lines retain the cotyledons, and the 10^(th), and 15^(th) node Value based on an the cotyledon node does not count as a node pairs average of a minimum of pair. In some lines the lowest leaves three plants (unit of abscise leaving a scar on the stem. measure: cm) Abscised nodes should be counted. In Distribution within Sesaco lines with alternate leaves, one node is for 5^(th) leaf based on stable counted for each pair of leaves. In some lines in the crossing lines in parts of the plant there are three program in 2002 (Total leaves per node which should be counted number of lines tested = as one node. 196 with 711 samples) The leaves continue growing in the first low = 13.8 cm; high = 42.5 cm few days after they have separated from 1 = <19.5 cm; 34.7% the growing tip. The choosing of leaves 2 = <25.3 cm; 48.0% should be done a minimum of 5 days after 3 = <31.0 cm; 14.3% the 15^(th) node has appeared. Timing is 4 = <36.8 cm; 1.5% important, because the plants will begin to 5 = >36.7 cm; 1.5% shed their lower leaves towards the end of avg. = 21.5 cm, std = 4.4 their cycle. Distribution within Sesaco There are lines that have less than 15 for 10^(th) leaf based on nodes. In this case, the highest node stable lines in the crossing should be taken and the node number program in 2002 (Total annotated to the measurements. number of lines tested = There can be as much as 6 mm 196 with 711 samples) difference between a green leaf and a dry low = 9.3 cm; high = 32.9 cm leaf. The measurements can be done on a 1 = <14.0 cm; 22.4% green or dry leaf as long as any 2 = <18.7 cm; 41.8% comparison data with other lines is based 3 = <23.5 cm; 20.9% on the same method. 4 = <28.2 cm; 10.2% Generally, the lowest leaves increase in 5 = >28.1 cm; 4.6% size until the 4^(th) to 6^(th) node and then they avg. = 17.9 cm, std = 4.8 decrease in size. This applies to LEAF Distribution within Sesaco LENGTH (Character No. 12), LEAF for 15^(th) leaf based on BLADE WIDTH (Character No. 14), and stable lines in the crossing PETIOLE LENGTH (Character No. 15). In program in 2002 (Total few cases, LEAF BLADE LENGTH number of lines tested = Character No. 13) can increase up the 10^(th) 196 with 711 samples) node, but will decrease by the 15^(th) node. low = 4.4 cm; high = 26.2 cm Generally, the width will decrease at a 1 = <8.8 cm; 5.1% greater rate than the length. 2 = <13.1 cm; 42.9% COMMENTS: the length is dependent 3 = <17.5 cm; 29.8% on the amount of moisture and fertility. 4 = <21.8 cm; 15.8% Higher moisture and fertility increase the 5 = >21.7 cm; 6.6% length. Leaf size also appears to be avg. = 14.3 cm, std = 4.2 affected by light intensity. In Korea, the Korean lines have much larger leaves than in Oklahoma. In Korea, there is more cloud cover and a general haze than in Oklahoma. (13) LEAF BLADE S55 = 13.6 cm for 5^(th) See LEAF LENGTH (Character No. 12) LENGTH node pair; 15.4 cm for on how to collect leaves. The The length of the leaf 10^(th) node pair; and 11.9 cm measurement does not include PETIOLE blade from the base of for 15^(th) node pair LENGTH (Character No. 15). In some the leaf blade to the (Uvalde nursery, 2008) leaves the blade on one side of the petiole apex of the leaf from Value based on an the starts before the other side. This measure the 5^(th), 10^(th), and 15^(th) average of a minimum of should start from the lowest blade side. node pairs three plants (unit of There are leaves that have enations where measure: cm) a blade starts and then stops. The Distribution within Sesaco enations are not considered part of the leaf for 5^(th) leaf based on stable blade because they are very irregular from lines in the crossing plant to plant and within a plant. program in 2002 (Total COMMENTS: see LEAF LENGTH number of lines tested = (Character No. 12) for effects of 196 with 711 samples) environment low = 9.0 cm; high = 25.5 cm 1 = <12.3 cm; 14.3% 2 = <15.6 cm; 60.2% 3 = <18.9 cm; 20.9% 4 = <22.2 cm; 3.1% 5 = >22.1 cm; 1.5% avg. = 14.4 cm, std = 2.4 Distribution within Sesaco for 10^(th) leaf based on stable lines in the crossing program in 2002 (Total number of lines tested = 196 with 711 samples) low = 8.3 cm; high = 23.4 cm 1 = <11.3 cm; 18.9% 2 = <14.3 cm; 42.9% 3 = <17.4 cm; 25.0% 4 = <20.4 cm; 9.2% 5 = >20.3 cm; 4.1% avg. = 13.9 cm, std = 3.0 Distribution within Sesaco for 15^(th) leaf based on stable lines in the crossing program in 2002 (Total number of lines tested = 196 with 711 samples) low = 4.2 cm; high = 20.7 cm 1 = <7.5 cm; 2.0% 2 = <10.8 cm; 36.7% 3 = <14.1 cm; 37.8% 4 = <17.4 cm; 16.3% 5 = >17.3 cm; 7.1% avg. = 12.0 cm, std = 3.0 (14) LEAF BLADE S55 = 10.0 cm for 5^(th) See LEAF LENGTH (Character No. 12) WIDTH node pair; 4.1 cm for 10^(th) on how to collect leaves. There are many The width of the leaf node pair; and 2.7 cm for leaves that are not symmetrical with blade measured across 15^(th) node pair lobbing on one side and not the other. The the leaf blade at the (Uvalde nursery, 2008) width should still be measured across the widest point at the 5^(th), Value based on an the widest point on a line perpendicular to the 10^(th), and 15^(th) node average of a minimum of main vein of the leaf. pairs three plants (unit of On some lines the width exceeds the measure: cm) length, particularly on lobed leaves. Distribution within Sesaco COMMENTS: see LEAF LENGTH for 5^(th) leaf based on stable (Character No. 12) for effects of lines in the crossing environment program in 2002 (Total The widest leaves are lobed. Normally, number of lines tested = the leaves have turned from lobed to 196 with 711 samples) lanceolate by the 10^(th) leaf with the low = 3.4 cm; high = 31.0 cm exception of the tropical lines. 1 = <8.9 cm; 53.1% 2 = <14.4 cm; 33.7% 3 = <20.0 cm; 9.7% 4 = <25.5 cm; 2.6% 5 = >25.4 cm; 1.0% avg. = 9.6 cm, std = 4.3 Distribution within Sesaco for 10^(th) leaf based on stable lines in the crossing program in 2002 (Total number of lines tested = 196 with 711 samples) low = 1.3 cm; high = 17.6 cm 1 = <4.6 cm; 69.4% 2 = <7.8 cm; 25.0% 3 = <11.1 cm; 4.6% 4 = <14.3 cm; 0% 5 = >14.2 cm; 1.0% avg. = 4.3 cm, std = 2.2 Distribution within Sesaco for 15^(th) leaf based on stable lines in the crossing program in 2002 (Total number of lines tested = 196 with 711 samples) low = 0.7 cm; high = 6.0 cm 1 = <1.8 cm; 29.1% 2 = <2.8 cm; 48.0% 3 = <3.9 cm; 15.3% 4 = <4.9 cm; 4.6% 5 = >4.8 cm; 3.1% avg. = 2.3 cm, std = 0.9 (15) PETIOLE LENGTH S55 = 7.1 cm for 5^(th) See LEAF BLADE LENGTH (Character The length of the node pair; 4.3 cm for 10^(th) No. 13) on how to collect leaves. In some petiole from the base of node pair; and 2.6 cm for leaves, the blade on one side of the petiole the petiole to the start 15^(th) node pair starts before the other side. This measure of the leaf blade at the (Uvalde nursery, 2008) should end where the earliest blade starts. 5^(th), 10^(th), and 15^(th) node Value based on an the There are leaves that have enations where pairs average of a minimum of a blade starts and then stops. The three plants (unit of enations are not considered part of the leaf measure: cm) blade because they are very irregular from Distribution within Sesaco plant to plant and within a plant and should for 5^(th) leaf based on stable be measured as part of the petiole. lines in the crossing COMMENTS: see LEAF LENGTH program in 2002 (Total (Character No. 12) for effects of number of lines tested = environment 196 with 711 samples) low = 3.0 cm; high = 17.0 cm 1 = <5.8 cm; 35.2% 2 = <8.6 cm; 39.8% 3 = <11.4 cm; 19.4% 4 = <14.2 cm; 4.1% 5 = >14.1 cm; 1.5% avg. = 7.0 cm, std = 2.5 Distribution within Sesaco for 10^(th) leaf based on stable lines in the crossing program in 2002 (Total number of lines tested = 196 with 711 samples) low = 1.0 cm; high = 14.2 cm 1 = <3.6 cm; 53.6% 2 = <6.3 cm; 31.6% 3 = <8.9 cm; 11.7% 4 = <11.6 cm; 2.0% 5 = >11.5 cm; 1.0% avg. = 4.0 cm, std = 2.1 Distribution within Sesaco for 15^(th) leaf based on stable lines in the crossing program in 2002 (Total number of lines tested = 196 with 711 samples) low = 0.2 cm; high = 7.4 cm 1 = <1.6 cm; 38.8% 2 = <3.1 cm; 41.8% 3 = <4.5 cm; 13.3% 4 = <6.0 cm; 3.1% 5 = >5.9 cm; 3.1% avg. = 2.3 cm, std = 1.3 (16) NUMBER OF S55 = 2 The rating can be taken from about 60 CARPELS PER (All crops, all nurseries) days after planting to all the way to the end CAPSULE Subjective rating based on of the crop. The predominant the following values: There are many plants with mixed number of carpels per 2 = bicarpellate number of carpels as follows: capsule in the middle 3 = tricarpellate 1. Some bicarpellate plants will have half of the capsule zone 4 = quadricarpellate one or more nodes near the center of the (unit of measure: actual capsule zone that have tri- and/or number quadricarpellate capsules and vice versa. Distribution within Sesaco 2. Most tri- and quadri-carpellate plants based on the introductions will begin and end with bicarpellate nodes. received in 1982-2001 3. Some plants have only one carpel (Total number of samples that develops. These capsules are tested = 2702) generally bent, but on examination the 2^(nd) 2 = 97.6% carpel can be seen. 3 = 0.0004% 4. On all types, flowers may coalesce 4 = 2.3% and double or triple the number of Sesaco has not developed carpels. lines with more than 2 5. On the seamless gene plants (gs/gs) carpels. the false membranes do not form locules. These are still considered bicarpellate. (17) CAPSULE S55 = 2.40 cm After the plants are physiologically LENGTH FROM 10cap (All experimental mature, take 2 capsules from five plants TEST nurseries, 1997-2008) from the middle of the capsule zone. On The length of the Value based on the three capsule per leaf axil lines, one capsule from the average of a minimum of central capsule and one axillary capsule bottom of the seed three samples of the should be taken from the same leaf axil. chamber to the top of length taken on the The measurement is taken on the median the seed chamber from median capsule in a 10 capsule of single capsule lines and on the the outside of the capsule sample (unit of median central capsule on three capsule capsule. The tip of the measure: cm) lines. The measurement is taken on dry capsule is not included Distribution within Sesaco capsules because the length can shorten in the measurement. based on 10cap test in all as much as one mm on drydown. nurseries in 1997-2002 The 10 capsules can be sampled from (Total number of lines physiological maturity through complete tested = 1,613 with 8,285 drydown without an effect on this samples) character. low = 1.3 cm; high = 4.5 cm Generally, the capsules in the middle of 1 = <1.94 cm; 2.7% the capsule zone are the longest on the 2 = <2.58 cm; 67.9% plant. 3 = <3.22 cm; 27.2% COMMENTS: the length of the capsule 4 = <3.86 cm; 1.9% is dependent on the amount of moisture, 5 = >3.85 cm; 0.3% fertility, and population. Higher moisture avg. = 2.44 cm, std = 0.33 and fertility increase the length. Higher population decreases the length even with adequate moisture/fertility. (18) SEED WEIGHT S55 = 0.211 g See CAPSULE LENGTH FROM 10CAP PER CAPSULE FROM (All experimental TEST (Character No. 17) for collection of 10cap TEST nurseries, 1997-2008) capsules. The capsules should be dried, The weight of the seed Value based on the the seed threshed out, and the seed in a capsule from the average of a minimum of weighed. center of the capsule three samples of the The 10 capsules can be sampled from zone weight of 10 capsules (unit physiological maturity through complete of weight: grams) drydown without an effect on this Distribution within Sesaco character. After drydown, only capsules based on 10cap test in all with all their seed are taken. Thus, this test nurseries in 1997-2002 cannot be done on shattering lines after (Total number of lines drydown. tested = 1,613 with 8,285 Generally, the capsules in the middle of samples) the capsule zone have the highest seed low = 0.053 g; high = weight per capsule on the plant. 0.476 g COMMENTS: see CAPSULE LENGTH 1 = <0.138 g; 1.3% FROM 10CAP TEST (Character No. 17) 2 = <0.222 g; 47.6% for the effects of environmental factors. 3 = <0.307 g; 50.6% 4 = <0.391 g; 1.1% 5 = >0.390 g; 0.1% avg. = 0.221 g, std = 0.039 (19) CAPSULE S55 = 0.149 g See CAPSULE LENGTH FROM 10CAP WEIGHT PER (All experimental TEST (Character No. 17) for collection of CAPSULE FROM nurseries, 1997-2008) capsules. The capsules should be dried, 10cap TEST Value based on the the seed threshed out, and the capsules The weight of the average of a minimum of weighed. At times the peduncle can still capsule from the center three samples of the be attached to the capsules. The of the capsule zone weight of 10 capsules (unit peduncles should be removed and not after the seed has been of measure: grams) weighed. removed Distribution within Sesaco The 10 capsules can be sampled from based on 10cap test in all physiological maturity through complete nurseries in 1997-2002 drydown without an effect on this (Total number of lines character. tested = 1,613 with 8,285 Generally, the capsules in the middle of samples) the capsule zone have the highest capsule low = 0.059 g; high = weight per capsule on the plant. 0.395 g COMMENTS: see CAPSULE LENGTH 1 = <0.126 g; 22.6% FROM 10CAP TEST (Character No. 17) 2 = <0.193 g; 69.1% for the effects of environmental factors. 3 = <0.261 g; 8.2% 4 = <0.328 g; 0.9% 5 = >0.327 g; 0.6% avg. = 0.152 g, std = 0.036 (20) CAPSULE S55 = 0.062 g The weight is derived by dividing the WEIGHT PER CM OF (All experimental CAPSULE WEIGHT PER CAPSULE CAPSULE nurseries, 1997-2008) FROM 10CAP TEST (Character No. 19) The weight of a capsule Value based on the by the CAPSULE LENGTH FROM 10CAP per cm of capsule from average of a minimum of TEST (Character No. 17). the center of the three samples of the The 10 capsules can be sampled from capsule zone weight per cm of 10 physiological maturity through complete capsules (unit of measure: drydown without an effect on this grams) character. Distribution within Sesaco COMMENTS: this character is used based on 10cap test in all instead of capsule width. Capsule width is nurseries in 1997-2002 difficult to measure because there are so (Total number of lines many variables in a capsule. In a tested = 1,613 with 8,285 bicarpellate capsule, the width differs when samples) measuring across one carpel or both low = 0.027 g; high = carpels. Capsules can also vary through 0.123 g the length of the capsule by being 1 = <0.046 g; 8.2% substantially narrower at the bottom, 2 = <0.065 g; 55.5% middle or top of the capsule. In 1997, four 3 = <0.085 g; 36.5% widths were measured on each capsule 4 = <0.104 g; 4.4% and then averaged. This average had a 5 = >0.103 g; 0.5% very high correlation to the capsule weight avg. = 0.063 g, std = 0.012 per cm of capsule. See CAPSULE LENGTH FROM 10CAP TEST (Character No. 17) for effects of environmental factors (21) VISUAL SEED S55 = W This rating is used for plants that are RETENTION (All crops, all nurseries) being selected for advanced testing Amount of seed in most Subjective rating based on whether individually or in a bulk with all the of the capsules in the the following values: plants having the same level of seed middle half of the X = <50% seed retention retention. capsule zone when the (unsuitable for direct Most “X” plants can be identified from plant(s) are dry enough harvest) the first capsule that dries since the seed for direct harvest with a C = 50-74% seed will begin falling out immediately. combine retention (unsuitable for A “C” (close to V) plant will have some direct harvest, but may capsules with seed and some without. segregate V or above in A “V” (visual shatter resistance) plant future generations) can be identified when the first 50% of the V = >74% seed retention capsules have dried, but a “V+” rating (sufficient seed retention should not be used until the complete plant for 10cap testing) is dry and most of the capsules are W = >74% seed retention showing seed retention. on weathering in field after Some “V” plants can be upgraded to rains and/or winds “W” after the dry capsules have been I = in using the “drum subjected to weather (rain and/or wind) test” the seed in the “V” and “W” become non-dehiscent only capsules do not rattle and after 10cap testing with about an 80% >85% of the capsules on passing rate. 10cap testing is done on “I” the plant(s) harvested selections have had about a 99% passing have visible seed in the rate. tips of the capsules four or The “drum test” consists of placing the more weeks after the ideal fingers from one hand about 1/2 inch from harvest time. The “I” the center of the main stem and then rating is used for all of the striking the stem alternately with one finger capsules on the plant. and then the other finger in rapid ‘+’ and ‘−’ modifiers can succession. The human ear can perceive be used. degree of rattling over a range. IND is defined as having no rattle. Degree of rattle in this test correlates with loss of increasing amounts of seed as capsules are exposed to weather conditions. COMMENTS: the ratings above should be made under normal conditions (600 mm of annual rainfall and 30 kg/ha of nitrogen) through high moisture/fertility conditions. In drought or very low fertility conditions, it has been observed that there is less seed retention. In addition, high populations may lead to low moisture or fertility causing less seed retention. If unusual environmental conditions are present, the effects should be taken into consideration prior to rating. (22) SHAKER S55 = 70.8% See CAPSULE LENGTH FROM 10CAP SHATTER (All experimental TEST (Character No. 17) for collection of RESISTANCE FROM nurseries, 1997-2008) capsules. The capsules should be dried 10cap TEST Value based on the and inverted. The capsules and any seed The amount of seed average of a minimum of that has fallen out should then be placed in retention after the three samples of the flasks on a reciprocal shaker with a 3.8 cm capsules are dry, percentage of seed stroke with 250 strokes/min for 10 minutes inverted, and put retained in 10 capsules (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452). The seed through a shaker (10 (unit of measure: Actual that comes out of the capsules should be capsule sample) Number expressed as weighed as ‘out seed.’ The retained seed percentage) should be threshed out of the capsules Distribution within Sesaco and weighed to compute the ‘total seed’. based on 10cap test in all The shaker shatter resistance is computed nurseries in 1997-2002 as a percentage as follows: (total seed − (Total number of lines out seed)/total seed. tested = 1,613 with 8,285 The 10 capsules can be sampled from samples) physiological maturity through complete low = 0; high = 100 drydown without an effect on this character 1 = <20; 12.9% for shatter resistant types. When taking 2 = <40; 6.9% capsules after drydown, only capsules with 3 = <60; 23.4% all their seed are taken. Thus, this test 4 = <80; 47.7% cannot be done on shattering lines after 5 = >79.9; 9.2% drydown. avg. = 55.9%, std = 23.9 COMMENTS: The ratings above should be made under normal conditions through high moisture/fertility conditions. In drought or very low fertility conditions, it has been observed that there is less seed retention. In additions, high populations may lead to low moisture or fertility causing there is less seed retention. If unusual environmental conditions are present, the effects should be taken into consideration prior to rating. Lines with shaker shatter resistance >64.9% are known as non-dehiscent lines (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452). (23) CAPSULE S55 = SR The rating is based on visual SHATTERING TYPE (All crops, all nurseries) observations as to seed retention as the Amount of seed Subjective rating based on plants remain standing in the field without retention in a line or the following values: shocking. plant SUS = Super-shattering GS plants can be identified while the (<2 visual seed retention - plant is putting on capsules or at drydown equates to <25%) because the carpels in the capsules do not SHA = Shattering (<4 form false membranes. There are plants visual seed retention - that will have capsules with false equates to <50%) membranes on the lower and upper nodes SSH = Semi-shattering (4-6 but most of the capsules show no false visual seed retention - membranes. equates to 50 to 75%) ID plants can be identified during the SR = Shatter resistant (a growing season in that they have enations numeric rating>6 visual on the bottoms of the leaves. At dry down seed retention without id they are more difficult to distinguish from or gs alleles - equates to other lines that have closed capsules >75%; an alphabetical (other than GS). There is less of a suture rating of V, W, or I) than other capsule types. ID = Indehiscent SUS, SHA, SSH, and SR are defined by (presence of id/id with VISUAL SEED RETENTION (Character capsule closed) No. 21). IDO = Indehiscent COMMENTS: Most environmental (presence of id/id with factors do not have much of an effect on capsule open at tip) capsule shattering type other than to make GS = Seamless it more difficult to distinguish in the overlap (presence of gs/gs with zone. Generally, higher moisture, higher capsule closed) fertility, and lower populations will GSO = Seamless decrease the shattering a small amount - (presence of gs/gs with less than 10%. capsule open at tip) The wind can have a large effect in decreasing the amount of seed retention. Rain, dew and fog can also reduce seed retention. (24) NON-DEHISCENT S55 = ND Lines are designated as ND only after they TEST (All crops, all nurseries) have undergone a minimum of 3 shaker A line that has passed Subjective rating based on shatter resistance tests. In order to be the non-dehiscent test the following values: considered an ND variety, the line must of having shaker shatter ND = Non-dehiscent line pass the ND threshold in multiple nurseries resistance >64.9% is XX = Line that does not for multiple years. considered an ND line pass the non-dehiscent in accordance with U.S. test Pat. No. 6,100,452. ND distribution within Sesaco based on 10cap test in all nurseries in 1997-2006 (Total number of samples tested = 10,905) ND = 53.6% XX = 46.4% (25) IMPROVED NON- S55 = 6.8 This rating is used for a plot or field that DEHISCENT VISUAL (Uvalde nursery, 2008) is being evaluated. RATING S55 = 7.0 The data is taken four or more weeks Amount of seed in most (Lorenzo nursery, 2008) after the ideal harvest time. See DAYS of the capsules in the Value based on the TO DIRECT HARVEST (Character No. plants in a plot four or average on a minimum of 30). Estimate the percentage of capsules more weeks after the three plots of a subjective that have visible seed at the top. In the ideal harvest time. rating based on the beginning in order to develop an eye for percentage of capsules the rating, the evaluator should observe all with visible seed retention of the capsules and rate each of them; get 8 < 100% a counts of those with visible seeds and a 7 < 85% count of total capsules; and compute a 6 < 70% percentage. Once the evaluator is skilled, 5 > 55% there is no need to count the capsules. Z < 55% There is a very high correlation between ‘*’, ‘+’ and ‘−’ modifiers this rating upon visual evaluation and the can be used. For amount of rattling generated by the “drum averages, 0.5 is added for test” defined above. ‘*’, 0.33 is added for a ‘+’ Although retention can vary from plant and 0.33 is subtracted for to plant and even within a plant, the overall a ‘−’, e.g., “7+” = 7.33. rating is correlatable with IND. (Total number of lines In crossing between lines, in early tested = 288 with 801 generations there is a segregation of IND samples in 2006) plants and non-IND plants. In this case low = 2.97; high = 7.33 the plot is given a rating of the majority of 1 = <6.0; 2.1% plants while the plants selected can have a 2 = <6.5; 20.8% higher rating which is reflected in VISUAL 3 = <7.0; 13.2% SEED RETENTION. The ratings that are 4 = <7.6; 63.9% cited in this character are for plots, but a 5 = >7.5; 0% ratings of 7 or 8 are only given if over 90% avg. = 6.77, std = 0.54 of the plants have the higher rating. Note: The percentage of lines between 7.0 and 7.6 is very high because Sesaco has established a new threshold for a new variety of IND > 6.9 and only lines that are IND or segregating IND are rated. (26) IMPROVED NON- S55 = ZZ Varieties were designated as IND after DEHISCENCE TEST (All crops, all nurseries they demonstrated the defined An ND line that passes Subjective rating based on characteristics with statistically significant the rattle test and has a the following values: data. visual IND rating >6.99 IND = Improved Non- is considered IND. A dehiscent line method for traditional ZZ = Line that does not breeding of an IND line pass the improved non- is described in dehiscent test concurrently filed U.S. Distribution within Sesaco patent application based on visual IND (Total Ser. No. 12/041,257. number of lines tested = ND and IND lines 1,934 in all nurseries from should not have id or gs 2005 to 2007) alleles. IND = 9.5% ZZ = 90.5% (27) DAYS TO S55 = 40 days The vegetative phase in sesame is from FLOWERING (Uvalde nursery, 2008) the time of planting to the start of Number of days from Value based on the flowering. planting until 50% of the average of a minimum of This data is taken as a date and later plants are flowering three plots of the number converted to number of days. Flowering is of days (unit of measure: defined as flowers that are open - not days) buds. Distribution within Sesaco COMMENTS: flowering can be based on lines in Uvalde accelerated by drought and it can be nursery in 2000-2001 delayed by higher moisture and/or fertility. (Total number of samples Higher heat units will decrease the days to tested = 1831) flowering. low = 33 days; high = 89 Some lines are photosensitive and will days only begin flowering at a certain number of 1 = <44.2 days; 87.9% hours of daylight. 2 = <55.4 days; 7.8% Start of flowering does not always 3 = <66.6 days; 2.4% equate to start of capsule formation. Many 4 = <77.8 days; 1.7% lines will flower and not set capsules from 5 = >77.7 days; 0.2% the first flowers. avg. = 40.9 days, std = 6.3 (28) DAYS TO S55 = 77 days The reproductive phase of sesame is FLOWER (Uvalde nursery, 2008) from the start to the end of flowering. TERMINATION Value based on the This data is taken as a date and later Number of days from average of a minimum of converted to number of days. Flowering is planting until 90% of the three plots of the number defined as flowers that are open - not plants have stopped of days (unit of measure: buds. At the end of the flowering period, flowering days) the rate that a plant puts on open flowers Distribution within Sesaco is reduced. Thus, there can be more than based on lines in Uvalde 10% of plants with buds and still have nursery in 2000-2001 reached this measure since there will not (Total number of samples be more than 10% with open flowers on tested = 2668) any one day. low = 61 days; high = 114 The measure is based on the number of days plants and not the number of flowering 1 = <71.6 days; 21.1% heads. The branches will stop flowering 2 = <82.2 days; 61.5% before the main stem, and thus the plot will 3 = <92.8 days; 15.9% appear like there are more plants not 4 = <103.4 days; 0.8% flowering. 5 = >103.3 days; 0.8% COMMENTS: flower termination can avg. = 77.1 days, std = 6.9 be accelerated by lower moisture and/or fertility, and it can be delayed by higher moisture and/or fertility. Higher heat units will decrease the DAYS TO FLOWER TERMINATION. It is known that there are lines that stop flowering sooner than expected in northern latitudes, but it is not known if this is due to shorter photoperiod or cool temperatures. (29) DAYS TO S55 = 99 days The ripening phase of sesame is from PHYSIOLOGICAL (Uvalde nursery, 2008) the end of flowering until physiological MATURITY Value based on the maturity. Number of days from average of a minimum of This data is taken as a date and later planting until 50% of the three plots of the number converted to number of days. Physiological plants reach of days (unit of measure: maturity (PM) is defined as the point at physiological maturity days) which 3/4 of the capsules have seed with Distribution within Sesaco final color. In most lines, the seed will also based on lines in Uvalde have a seed line and tip that are dark. nursery in 2000-2001 COMMENTS: The concept of (Total number of samples physiological maturity in sesame was tested = 2374) developed by M. L. Kinman (personal low = 77 days; high = 140 communication) based on the concept of days determining the optimum time to cut a 1 = <89.6 days; 16.8% plant and still harvest 95-99% of the 2 = 102.2 days; 58.0% potential yield. When the seed has final 3 = <114.8 days; 23.6% color, the seed can germinate under the 4 = <127.4 days; 1.4% proper conditions. If the plant is cut at 5 = >127.3 days; 0.2% physiological maturity, most of the seed avg. = 97.1 days, std = 7.1 above the ¾ mark will go to final color and are mature enough to germinate, but will not have as much seed weight. Since in even a fully mature plant, there is less seed weight made at the top of the plant, this loss of seed weight does not seriously affect the potential seed weight of the plant. Although present harvest methods let the plants mature and go to complete drydown, PM is important because after that point, the crop is less susceptible to yield loss due to frost or disease. The PM is also important if the crop is to be swathed or harvest aids are to be applied. Physiological maturity can be accelerated by lower moisture and/or fertility, and it can be delayed by higher moisture and/or fertility. Higher heat units will decrease the days to physiological maturity. Cool weather can delay physiological maturity. (30) DAYS TO DIRECT S55 = 149 days The drying phase of sesame is from HARVEST (Uvalde nursery, 2008) physiological maturity until direct harvest. Number of days from Value based on the This data is taken as a date and later planting until there is average of a minimum of converted to number of days. Direct enough drydown for three plots of the number harvest is defined as the date at which the direct harvest of days (unit of measure: plants are dry enough for combining seed days) at 6% or less moisture. Over 99% of the Distribution within Sesaco sesame in the world is harvested by hand based on lines in all before the plant completely dries down. nurseries from 2004 The plants should be dry below where tthrough 2006 the cutter bar of the combine will hit the (Total number of samples plants. In many lines, 15-20 cm from the tested = 1,998) ground can be green without an effect on low = 103 days; high = 161 the moisture of the seed. In taking the days data on a plot, the plants at the aisle have 1 = <114.6 days; 3.3% more moisture and fertility available and 2 = <126.2 days; 13.3% will drydown later. The same is true for 3 = <137.8 days; 32.1% plants within the plot that have a gap of 4 = <149.4 days; 44.2% half a meter between plants. These plants 5 = >149.3 days; 7.2% should be disregarded in taking the data. avg. = 136.7 days, std = In addition, there are few farmer fields that 10.3 dry down uniformly because of varying soils and moisture. There is a certain amount of green that can be combined and still attain the proper moisture. The amount of green allowable is also dependent on the humidity at the day of combining- the lower the humidity the higher the amount of allowable green. COMMENTS: This date is the most variable number of days that define the phenology of sesame because weather is so important. In dry years with little rainfall, the plants will run out of moisture sooner and will dry down faster than in years with more rainfall. Fields that are irrigated by pivots will generally dry down faster than fields with flood or furrow irrigation because pivots do not provide deep moisture. Fields with less fertility will drydown faster than fields with high fertility. Fields with high populations will dry down faster than fields with low populations. In low moisture situations lines with a strong taproot will dry down later than lines with mostly shallow fibrous roots. (31) LODGING S55 = 7.4 The data is taken after physiological RESISTANCE (Uvalde nursery 2007), maturity (see DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL The amount of lodging S55 = 8.0 MATURITY - Character No. 29) and (Lorenzo nursery, 207) before direct harvest (see DAYS TO Average of a minimum of DIRECT HARVEST - Character No. 30). three plots of a subjective Lodging that occurs after direct harvest in rating based on the nurseries would not be a factor in following values: commercial sesame. 0 to 8 rating There are three types of lodging: where 8 = no lodging the plants break at the stem, where the 7 = Less than 5% of plants plants bend over but do not break, and lodged where the plants uproot and bend over. 4 = 50% of plants lodged When a plant breaks over, it will rarely 1 = All plants lodged produce any new seed, and the existing Intermediate values are seed may or may not mature. If there is a used. total break, there is no hope, but if there is Distribution within Sesaco still some active stem translocation based on lines in Uvalde through the break, there can be some yield and Lorenzo nurseries in recovery. The main causes for uprooting 2007 of plants are shallow root systems and (Total number of samples fields that have just been irrigated, creating tested = 1061) a soft layer of soil. When a plant bends low = 1.0; high = 8.0 over early in development, some lines 1 = <2.4; 3.1% adapt better than others in terms of having 2 = <3.8; 6.9% the main stems turn up and continue 3 = <5.2; 22.6% flowering. The tips of the branches are 4 = <6.6; 18.9% usually matted under the canopy and will 5 = >8.0; 48.4% rarely turn up, but new branches can avg. = 6.1, std = 1.7 develop. As the plants go to drydown and the weight of the moisture is lost, many of the bent plants will straighten up making the crop easier to combine. COMMENTS: The major cause of lodging is the wind. In areas where there are constant winds such as in Oklahoma and northern Texas, the plants adjust by adding more lignins to the stems and it takes a stronger wind to cause lodging than in areas such as Uvalde where there normally only breezes unless there is a strong front or thunderstorm that passes through. In areas with more root rots, the stems are weak and it takes little wind to lodge the plants. (32) SEED COLOR S55 = BLK This data is taken in the laboratory with The color of the seed (All crops, all nurseries) the same lighting for all samples. The seed coat Subjective rating based on from the whole plant is used. the following values: Seed coat color is taken on mature WH = White seeds. If there is any abnormal BF = Buff termination, the colors are not quite as TN = Tan even. The color of immature seed varies. LBR = Light brown Usually light seeded lines have tan to light GO = Gold brown immature seed; tan, light brown, LGR = Light gray gold, brown light gray, and gray lines have GR = Gray lighter immature seed; black lines can BR = Brown have tan, brown, or gray immature seed. RBR = Reddish brown Usually, moisture, fertility, population BL = Black and light intensity do not have an effect on Distribution within Sesaco seed coat color. Light colored seeds in a based on seed harvested drought may have a yellowish tinge. Seeds in all nurseries in 1982-2001 in some lines in the tan, light brown and (Total number of gold range can change from year to year samples tested = 161,809) among themselves. WH = 0.8% BF = 74.8% TN = 9.0% LBR = 1.4% GO = 1.5% LGR = 0.6% GR = 1.4% BR = 6.5% RBR = 0.6% BL = 3.5% (33) SEED WEIGHT - S55 = 0.328 g See CAPSULE LENGTH FROM 10CAP 100 SEEDS FROM (All experimental TEST (Character No. 17) for collection of 10cap TEST nurseries, 1997-2008) capsules. Weight of 100 seeds Value based on the Count out 100 seeds and weigh. The taken from the 10cap average of a minimum of seed must be dry. tests which are taken three samples of the COMMENTS: the weight increases from the middle of the weight of 100 seeds from with higher moisture/fertility. Generally, plant. the 10 capsules (unit of the weight of the seed from the whole plant weight: grams) is lighter than the seed weight taken from Distribution within Sesaco the 10cap test. based on stable lines in all nurseries in 1997-2002 (Total number of lines tested = 820 with 2,899 samples) low = 0.200 g; high = 0.455 g 1 = <0..251 g; 10.1% 2 = <0.302 g; 48.4% 3 = <0.353 g; 34.0% 4 = <0.404 g; 7.2% 5 = >0.403 g; 0.2% avg. = 0.298 g, std = 0.04 (34) COMPOSITE KILL S55 = 6.8 On the week a plot reaches PM, a RESISTANCE (Uvalde nursery, 2008) rating is assigned. The ratings are then The amount of plants Average of a minimum of taken for 2 additional weeks. The three killed by root rots in the three plots of a subjective ratings are averaged for a final kill rating. Sesaco nurseries rating based on the For example, if a plot has a final kill of 766, following values: Ratings the average for the plot will be 6.33. When are based on the number a value of 1 or 2 is assigned, there are no of plants killed in a plot. additional ratings and there is no Before physiological averaging. maturity (PM), the There are three root diseases that affect following ratings are used: sesame in Texas: Fusarium oxysporum, 1 = >90% kill before DAYS Macrophomina phaseoli, and Phytophtora TO FLOWERING parasitica. Between 1988 and the present, TERMINATION (Character spores of these three have been No. 28) accumulated in one small area (1 square 2 = >90% kill between km) north of Uvalde, and thus it is an DAYS TO FLOWERING excellent screening area for the diseases. TERMINATION (Character Although each root rot attacks sesame in a No. 28) and DAYS TO different way with different symptoms, no PHYSIOLOGICAL effort is made to differentiate which MATURITY (Character No. disease is the culprit in each plot. 29) Pathological screenings in the past have After PM, the following found all 3 pathogens present in dead ratings are used: plants. 3 = >90% kill COMMENTS: normally, the ratings will 4 = 50 to 89% kill decrease a maximum of one value per 5 = 25 to 49% kill week. There is an overlap between any 6 = 10 to 24% kill two ratings, but this is overcome to a 7 = less than 10% kill certain extent by using three ratings over 2 8 = no kill weeks. Distribution within Sesaco The amount of kill is usually increased based on lines in Uvalde with any type of stress to the plants. nursery in 2000-2001 Drought can increase the amount of (Total number of samples Macrophomina; too much water can tested = 3045) increase the amount of Phytophtora; high low = 1.00; high = 8.00 temperatures and humidity can increase 1 = <1.6; 1.7% the amount of Fusarium and Phytophtora. 2 = <3.2; 16.7% High population can increase all three 3 = <4.8; 38.7% diseases. 4 = <6.4; 31.2% The ratings for any one year can be 5 = >6.3; 11.6% used to compare lines grown in that year, avg. = 4.52, std = 1.49 but should not be used to compare lines grown in different years. The amount of disease in any one year is highly dependent on moisture, humidity, and temperatures. (35) RESISTANCE TO S55 = NT Ratings can be done in several ways: FUSARIUM WILT (F. oxysporum) Average of a minimum of 1. Take ratings after the disease is no Amount of resistance to three plots of a subjective longer increasing Fusarium wilt rating based on the 2. Take ratings on consecutive weeks following values: until disease is no longer increasing and 0 to 8 scale of the average ratings. % of infected plants 3. Take periodic ratings and average 8 = Zero disease ratings. 7 = <10% infected COMMENTS: Fusarium has been a 4 = 50% infected problem in South Texas, particularly on 1 = >90% infected fields that have been planted with sesame 0 = all infected before. Normally, only the COMPOSITE Intermediate values are KILL RESISTANCE (Character No. 34) used. rating is taken. NT = not tested NEC = no economic damage - not enough disease to do ratings (36) RESISTANCE TO S55 = NT See Methodology for RESISTANCE TO PHYTOPHTORA STEM Subjective rating FUSARIUM WILT (Character No. 35) ROT (P. parasitica) See Values for Fusarium COMMENTS: Phytophtora has been a Amount of resistance to problem in Arizona and Texas, particularly Phytophtora stem rot on fields that have been over-irrigated. Normally, only the COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE (Character No. 34) rating is taken. (37) RESISTANCE TO S55 = NT See Methodology for RESISTANCE TO CHARCOAL ROT Subjective rating FUSARIUM WILT (Character No. 35) (Macrophomina See Values for Fusarium COMMENTS: Macrophomina has been phaseoli) a problem in Arizona and Texas, Amount of resistance to particularly on fields that go into a drought. Charcoal rot Normally, only the COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE (Character No. 34) rating is taken. (38) RESISTANCE TO S55 = NT See Methodology for RESISTANCE TO BACTERIAL BLACK (Uvalde nursery, 2004) FUSARIUM WILT (Character No. 35) ROT (Pseudomonas Average of a minimum of COMMENTS: this disease occurs sesami) three plots of a subjective occasionally when there is continual rainy Amount of resistance to rating based on the weather with few clouds. In most years, bacterial black rot following values: the disease abates once the weather 0 to 8 scale of the changes. No economic damage has been % of infected plants noticed. 8 = Zero disease 7 = <10% infected 4 = 50% infected 1 = >90% infected 0 = all infected Intermediate values are used. NT = not tested NEC = no economic damage - not enough disease to do ratings Distribution within Sesaco based on lines in Uvalde nursery in 2004 (Total number of samples tested = 593) low = 4.00; high = 8.00 1 = <2.4; 0.0% 2 = <3.8; 0.0% 3 = <5.2; 8.6% 4 = <6.6; 16.0% 5 = >6.5; 75.4% avg. = 7.13, std = 1.00 (39) RESISTANCE TO S55 = NEC Ratings can be done in several ways: SILVERLEAF (Uvalde nursery, 2006) 1. Take ratings after the insects are no WHITEFLY (Bemisia Average of a minimum of longer increasing. argentifolii) three plots of a subjective 2. Take ratings on consecutive weeks Amount of resistance to rating based on the until insects are no longer increasing and the silverleaf whitefly following values: average ratings. 0 to 8 scale of the 3. Take periodic ratings and average % of infected plants ratings. 0 to 8 scale COMMENTS: there have been very 8 = Zero insects few years (1991-1995) where the 7 = Few insects incidence of silverleaf whitefly has affected 4 = Many insects nurseries or commercial crops. In most 1 = Insects killing the years, a few white flies can be seen in the plants sesame with no economic damage. Intermediate values are In the middle 1990s, the USDA began used. introducing natural predators of the NT = not tested silverleaf whitefly in the Uvalde area. It is NEC = no economic not known if the predators reduced the damage - not enough effects of the whitefly or there is a natural insects to do ratings tolerance to whitefly in the current varieties. Higher temperatures decrease the number of days between generations. There are indications that higher moisture and fertility increase the incidence of white flies, but there is no definitive data. The sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) has been observed in nurseries since 1978 without any economic damage. (40) RESISTANCE TO S55 = NT See Methodology for RESISTANCE TO GREEN PEACH Subjective rating; see SILVERLEAF WHITEFLY (Character No. APHIDS (Myzus Values for Whitefly 39) persicae) Distribution within Sesaco COMMENTS: there have been very Amount of resistance to based on lines in Uvalde few years (1990-1995) where the the green peach aphid nursery in 2004 incidence of green peach aphid has (Total number of samples affected nurseries or commercial crops. In tested = 412) most years, a few aphids can be seen in low = 1.00; high = 8.00 the sesame with no economic damage. 1 = <2.4; 1.0% There have been many years in West 2 = <3.8; 0.5% Texas when the cotton aphid has 3 = <5.2; 10.7% decimated the cotton and did not build up 4 = <6.6; 4.8% on adjacent sesame fields. 5 = >6.5; 83.0% Higher moisture and fertility increase avg. = 7.04, std = 1.35 the susceptibility to aphids. (41) RESISTANCE TO S55 = NT See Methodology for RESISTANCE TO POD BORERS Subjective rating; see SILVERLEAF WHITEFLY (Character No. (Heliothis spp.) Values for Whitefly 39) Amount of resistance to COMMENTS: there have been very pod borers few years (1985) where the incidence of Heliothis has affected nurseries or commercial crops. In most years, a few borers can be seen in the sesame with no economic damage. (42) RESISTANCE TO S55 = NT See Methodology for RESISTANCE TO ARMY WORMS Subjective rating; see SILVERLEAF WHITEFLY (Character No. (Spodoptera spp.) Values for Whitefly 39) Amount of resistance to COMMENTS: there have been very army worms few years (1984-1987) where the incidence of Spodoptera has affected commercial crops in Arizona. In Texas, army worms have decimated cotton and alfalfa fields next to sesame without any damage to the sesame. It is not known if the Arizona army worm is different from the Texas army worm. (43) RESISTANCE TO S55 = NEC See Methodology for RESISTANCE TO CABBAGE LOOPERS (Lorenzo nursery 2007) SILVERLEAF WHITEFLY (Character No. (Pieris rapae) Subjective rating; see 39) Amount of resistance to values for Whitefly COMMENTS: there have been very cabbage loopers few years (1992-1993) where the incidence of cabbage loopers has affected nurseries. In commercial sesame, cabbage loopers have been observed with no economic damage. ^(a)Uvalde nursery planted north of Uvalde, Texas (latitude 29°22′ north, longitude 99°47′ west, 226 m elev) in middle to late May to early June from 1988 to the present; mean rainfall is 608 mm annually with a mean of 253 mm during the growing season; temperatures range from an average low of 3° C. and an average high of 17° C. in January to an average low of 22° C. and an average high of 37° C. in July. The nursery was planted on 96 cm beds from1988 to 1997 and on 76 cm beds from 1998 to the present. The nursery was pre-irrigated and has had 2-3 post-plant irrigations depending on rainfall. The fertility has varied from 30-60 units of nitrogen. ^(b)Lorenzo nursery planted southeast of Lubbock, Texas (latitude 33°40′ north, longitude 101°49′ west, 1000 m elev) in mid June from 2004 to the present; mean rainfall is 483 mm annually with a mean of 320 mm during the growing season; temperatures range from an average low of −4° C. and an average high of 11° C. in January to an average low of 20° C. and an average high of 33° C. in July. The nursery was planted on 101 cm beds. The nursery wasrainfed. The fertility was 30 units of nitrogen.

In developing sesame varieties for the United States, there are seven characters that are desirable for successful crops: SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE (Character No. 23), NON-DEHISCENT TEST (Character No. 24), COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE (Character No. 35), DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY (Character No. 30), YIELD AT DRYDOWN (Character 11), SEED COLOR (Character No. 33), and SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM 10CAP TEST (Character No. 34). The first four characters contribute to YIELD AT DRYDOWN which is the most important economic factor normally considered by a farmer in the selection of a variety. The last two characters determine the market value of the seed.

SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE and NON-DEHISCENT TEST determine how well the plants will retain the seed while they are drying down in adverse weather.

COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE determines whether the plants can finish their cycle and have the optimum seed fill.

DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY determines how far north and to which elevation the varieties can be grown.

In improving the characters, the YIELD AT DRYDOWN has to be comparable to or better than current varieties, or provide a beneficial improvement for a particular geographical or market niche.

In the United States and Europe, the SEED COLOR is important since over 95% of the market requires white or buff seed. There are limited markets for gold and black seed in the Far East. All other colors can only be used in the oil market.

SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM 10CAP TEST determines the market for the seed. Lack of COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE can reduce SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM 10CAP TEST. In parts of the United States where there is little rain in dry years, the lack of moisture can reduce the SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM 10CAP TEST.

There are other characters important in developing commercial sesame varieties explained in Langham, D. R. and T. Wiemers, 2002. “Progress in mechanizing sesame in the US through breeding”, In: J. Janick and A. Whipkey (ed.), Trends in new crops and new uses, ASHS Press, Alexandria, Va. BRANCHING STYLE (Character No. 1), HEIGHT OF PLANT (Character No. 5) and HEIGHT OF FIRST CAPSULE (Character No. 6) are important in combining. CAPSULE ZONE LENGTH (Character No. 7), NUMBER OF CAPSULE NODES (Character No. 8), AVERAGE INTERNODE LENGTH WITHIN CAPSULE ZONE (Character No. 9), and SEED WEIGHT PER CAPSULE (Character No. 18) are important in creating potential YIELD AT DRYDOWN (Character No. 10). LEAF DIMENSIONS (Characters No. 12, 13, 14, and 15) are important in determining optimum populations.

NUMBER OF CAPSULES PER LEAF AXIL (Character No. 2), NUMBER OF CARPELS PER CAPSULE (Character No. 16), CAPSULE LENGTH (Character No. 17), CAPSULE WEIGHT PER CAPSULE (Character No. 19), and CAPSULE WEIGHT PER CM OF CAPSULE (Character No. 20) are important in breeding for VISUAL SEED RETENTION (Character No. 21) and IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUAL RATING (Character No. 25) which lead to testing for SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE (Character No. 22) and determining the CAPSULE SHATTERING TYPE (Character No. 23), NON-DEHISCENT TEST (Character 24) and IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT TEST (Character No. 26).

DAYS TO FLOWERING (Character No. 27), DAYS TO FLOWER TERMINATION (Character No. 28), DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY (Character No. 29), and MATURITY CLASS (Character No. 3) are highly correlated and important in determining the phenology and geographical range for the variety.

DAYS TO DIRECT HARVEST (Character No. 30) is important in that once the plants reach physiological maturity there is no weather event that will increase yield and many weather events that may substantially lower the yield. A shorter drying phase increases yield. PLANT PHENOTYPE (Character No. 4) is a summary character of characters 1, 2, and 3 that allows an overall visualization of the line.

RESISTANCE TO DROUGHT (Character No. 11) becomes important in reducing yield and seed weight. Even though there was a drought in the growing areas in 2006, there has not been a drought in nurseries planted since 2000 because of irrigation. LODGING RESISTANCE (Character No. 31) is important in years when there are high winds in the growing areas. The resistance characters (Characters No. 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43) are important in reducing the losses from diseases and pests.

Over the past 30 years, Sesaco has tested 2,966 introductions from all over the world. Commercial samples have been obtained from China, India, Sudan, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Mozambique, Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Egypt, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Thailand, Turkey, Upper Volta, Uganda, Mali, Kenya, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Philippines, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Somalia, Eritrea, Paraguay, Bolivia, and El Salvador. Additional research seed has been received from the commercial countries and from many other countries such as Australia, Iraq, Iran, Japan, Russia, Jordan, Yemen, Syria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Angola, Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Gabon, Greece, Italy, South Korea, Libya, Nepal, Zaire, England and Tanzania. Research seed received from one country may have originated from another unspecified country. All of the commercial and research introductions have CAPSULE SHATTERING TYPE (Character No. 23) of shattering, “SHA”.

Using selected characters from Table II, Table III provides a character differentiation between S55 and named cultivars from all over the world.

TABLE III Character Differentiation of Various Sesame Varieties^(a) Character Rating Name cultivars tested by Sesaco CAPSULE SHATTERING SHA Eliminate the following from the world: TYPE From Venezuela: Venezuela 51, Venezuela (Character No. 23) 52, Guacara, Aceitera, Inamar, Acarigua, Morada, Capsula Larga, Arawaca, Piritu, Glauca, Turen, DV9, Fonucla, UCLA From Mexico: Pachequeno, Yori, Anna, Teras, Denisse, Canasta, Tehvantepeter From India: TMV1, TMV3 From Turkey: Ozberk, Muganli, Gamdibi, Marmara From Israel: DT45 From Guatemala: R198, R30 From Paraguay: Escoba and INIA. From Texas: Llano, Margo, Dulce, Blanco, Paloma, Oro, Renner 1 and 2, Early Russian From California: UCR3, UCR4, Eva, Calinda (Cal Beauty) From Thailand: KU18 From Korea: Danback, Gwansan, Pungyiong, Suweon, Yuseong, Hanseon, Ahnsan, Kwangsan, Jinback, Pungsan, Sodan, Yangheuk, Konheuk, Whaheuck, Sungboon SSH Eliminate from Sesaco: S02, S03, S04, S05, S06, S07, S08, S09, S10, S12, S14 ID Eliminate the following from the world: From Venezuela: G2, Morada id From Texas: Rio, Delco, Baco, Improved Baco, Roy, Eli From South Carolina: Palmetto From California: UCR234 From Sesaco: S01 SR All others, go to NON-DEHISCENT TEST NON-DEHISCENT TEST XX Eliminate from Sesaco: S11, S15, S16, S17, (Character No. 24) S18, S19, S20, S21 ND All others to the SEED COLOR SEED COLOR (Character No. BF Eliminate from Sesaco: 11W, 19A, S22, S23, 31) S24, S25, S26, S27, S28, S29, S30, S32 (all of these lines and varieties have been disclosed in previous patents, and there are no lines or varieties that are not included.) BLK S55 ^(a)SHA = shattering; SSH = semi-shattering; ID = indehiscent; SR = shatter resistant; XX = not non-dehiscent according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452; ND = non-dehiscent according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452; BF = buff seed color; BLK = black seed color.

Table IV shows all the characters from Table II for S55 and Sesaco commercial varieties S26, S28, S30, and S32. The table is in terms of all of the characters listed in Table II. The major differences in Table IV are indicated in the “Dif” column by a “C” for commercially important differences and an “M” for morphological differences.

TABLE IV Character Comparison of S26, S28, S30, S32, and S55^(a) No. Character Year/nursery S26 S28 S30 S32 S55 Dif 1 Branching Style All B B U B B 2 Number of Capsules per Leaf All 1 1 1 1 1 Axil 3 Maturity Class Adjusted PM 99 99 98 98 98 2005-2008 UV M M M M M 4 Plant Phenotype All B1M B1M U1M B1M B1M 5 Height of Plant (cm) 2008 UV 135 126 131 145 123 6 Height of First Capsule (cm) 2008 UV 53 53 43 53 53 7 Capsule Zone Length (cm) 2008 UV 81 72 88 91 70 8 Number of Capsule Node 2008 UV 22 22 24 25 24 pairs 9 Average Internode Length 2008 UV 3.8 3.4 3.6 3.6 3.0 M within Capsule Zone (cm) 10 Yield at Drydown (kg/ha) 2008 UV 1,429 1,381 1,474 1,556 1,253 C 2008 LO 429 511 676 593 514 C 11 Resistance to Drought 2000 SA Good Good NT NT NT 12 Leaf Length (cm) 5^(th)-2008 UV 28.1 23.0 16.3 25.5 20.7 10^(th)-2008 UV 22.3 18.0 18.5 18.3 19.7 15^(th)-2008 UV 15.9 13.7 15.0 14.1 14.5 13 Leaf Blade Length (cm) 5^(th)-2008 UV 16.6 13.8 10.7 14.8 13.6 10^(th)-2008 UV 16.8 14.4 14.3 14.7 15.4 15^(th)-2008 UV 13.3 11.5 12.5 12.2 11.9 14 Leaf Blade Width (cm) 5^(th)-2008 UV 23.0 18.0 10.5 13.8 10.0 10^(th)-2008 UV 5.4 3.6 3.0 3.0 4.1 15^(th)-2008 UV 2.6 2.0 2.0 1.6 2.7 15 Petiole Length (cm) 5^(th)-2008 UV 11.5 9.2 5.6 10.7 7.1 10^(th)-2008 UV 5.5 3.6 4.2 3.6 4.3 15^(th)-2008 UV 2.6 2.3 2.4 2.0 2.6 16 Number of Carpels per All 2 2 2 2 2 Capsule 17 Capsule Length (cm) 1997-2008 All 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.13 2.40 M 18 Seed Weight per Capsule (g) 1997-2008 All 0.233 0.227 0.260 0.228 0.211 19 Capsule Weight per Capsule 1997-2008 All 0.162 0.162 0.167 0.147 0.149 (g) 20 Capsule Weight per cm of 1997-2008 All 0.072 0.072 0.073 0.069 0.62 M Capsule (g) 21 Visual Shatter Resistance All W W I I W C 22 Shaker Shatter Resistance 1997-2008 All 73.0 75.0 77.8 75.8 70.8 (%) 23 Capsule Shattering Type All SR SR SR SR SR 24 Non-dehiscent Test All ND ND ND ND ND 25 Improved Non-dehiscent 2008 UV 6.5 6.2 7.2 7.0 6.8 C visual rating 2008 LO 6.3 6.3 7.4 7.2 7.0 C 26 Improved Non-dehiscent Test All ZZ ZZ IND IND ZZ C 27 Days to Flowering 2008 UV 50 48 36 38 V40 28 Days to Flower Termination 2008 UV 83 82 75 77 77 29 Days to Physiological 2008 UV 110 109 101 106 99 C Maturity 30 Days to Direct Harvest 2008 UV 146 146 139 141 149 31 Lodging Resistance 2007 UV 6.6 7.0 7.3 6.2 7.4 C 2007 LO 5.0 5.3 7.9 7.1 8.0 C 32 Seed Color All BF BF BF BF BLK C 33 Seed Weight - 100 Seeds 1997-2008 All 0.330 0.329 0.317 0.311 0.328 C from 10 cap test (g) 34 Composite Kill Resistance 2008 UV 7.3 7.3 6.9 6.5 6.8 C 35 Resistance to Fusarium Wilt NT NT NT NT NT (F. oxysporum) 36 Resistance to Phytophtora NT NT NT NT NT Stem Rot (P. parasitica) 37 Resistance to Charcoal Rot NT NT NT NT NT (Macrophomina phaseoli) 38 Resistance to Bacterial Black 2004 UV 7.0 7.0 8.0 8.0 NT Rot (Pseudomonas sesami) 39 Resistance to Silverleaf 2007 UV NEC NEC NEC NEC NEC Whitefly (Bemisia argentifolii) 40 Resistance to Green Peach 2004 UV 8.0 7.9 8.0 5.5 NT Aphid (Myzus persica) 41 Resistance to Pod Borer 2001 UV NEC NT NT NT NT (Heliothis spp.) 42 Resistance to Army Worms NT NT NT NT NT (Spodoptera spp.) 43 Resistance to Cabbage 2007 LO NEC NEC NEC NEC NEC Loopers (Pieris rapae) ^(a)B = true branches; U = uniculm (no true branches); UV = Uvalde nursery; M = medium maturity class of 95-104 days; B1M = phenotype of true branches, single capsules per leaf axil, and medium maturity class of 95-104 days; U1M = phenotype of uniculm, single capsules per leaf axil, and medium maturity class of 95-104 days; LO = Lorenzo nursery; NT = not tested; W = weather visual seed retention >75%; SR = shatter resistant;ND = non-dehiscent; ZZ = not improved non-dehiscent; IND = improved non-dehiscent; BF = buff color; and NEC = no economic damage - not enough disease or insects to do ratings.

As stated earlier, in developing sesame varieties for the United States, there are seven important characters: SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE (Character No. 22), NON-DEHISCENT TEST (Character No. 24), COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE (Character No. 34), DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY (Character No. 29), YIELD AT DRYDOWN (Character No. 10), SEED COLOR (Character No. 32), and SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM 10CAP TEST (Character No. 33). These characters will be discussed first comparing S55 to the Sesaco varieties (S25, S26, S28, S29, S30, and S32), followed by other characters that differentiate S55. The data is based on planting the varieties side by side with four replications in Uvalde and two in Lorenzo.

The most significant visible difference between the seed of S55 and the other Sesaco ND varieties is SEED COLOR (Character No. 32). In Asia and increasingly in the United States, a demand for black sesame seeds is present. S55 is the first black seeded sesame that has non-dehiscence allowing it to be fully mechanized at harvest. The plants retain enough seed after drying down in the field to be combined directly to be commercially feasible.

FIG. 2 provides the SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE (Character No. 22) of the patented varieties using data from 1997 through 2008. SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE represents the amount of seed that is retained by the plant several months after being dry in the field. This standard was developed as a minimum standard in 1997-1998 and has proven to be a good predictor of shatter resistance. All have SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE in the low to mid seventy percent level. S55 has 70.8% which is above the 65% threshold established in U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452 to qualify S55 as a non-dehiscent variety as defined in the NON-DEHISCENT TEST (Character No. 24).

FIG. 3 provides the IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUAL RATING (Character No. 25) of selected Sesaco varieties using data from the 2008 Uvalde and Lorenzo nurseries. When the plants have reached DAYS TO DIRECT HARVEST (Character No. 30), the plants are holding more than the seed represented by the SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE percentage. If there is no rain, fog, dew, or wind during the drying phase, the non-dehiscent plants will be retaining almost all of their seed for the combine. However, the predominant weather in the harvest season in the U.S. includes rain, fog, dew, and wind. The IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUAL RATING sets a new benchmark for selecting varieties based on a rating done 4 weeks after DAYS TO DIRECT HARVEST (the ideal harvest time). S55 does not have a rating above the 7.0 threshold in both Uvalde and Lorenzo established in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/041,205, filed 3 Mar., 2008, and thus, S55 does not qualify as an improved non-dehiscent variety. However, it is an improvement over S25, S26, S28, and S29.

FIG. 4 provides the COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE (Character No. 34) of selected Sesaco varieties in the 2008 Uvalde nursery. COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE is a composite rating of resistance to three root rots: Fusarium, Phytophtora, and Macrophomina. In most years, Fusarium is the major cause of kill. When sesame is first introduced into a growing area, there are few disease problems, but over time the spores of these fungi accumulate and disease resistance becomes important. When sesame was first introduced in Uvalde in 1988, the yields were high. As farmers planted on the same fields in subsequent years, the yields decreased. With a rating of 6.8, S55 is in the middle of the other patented varieties, and the ratings for S55 are acceptable for a commercial variety. Any rating above 5.67 indicates that over 90% of the plants produced good seed to the top of the plant.

FIG. 5 provides the mean DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY (Character No. 29) of selected Sesaco varieties in the 2008 Uvalde nursery. In the United States, sesame is currently grown from South Texas to southern Kansas. The growing window of a crop is determined by the earliest the crop can be planted in the spring as the ground warms up, and the onset of cold weather in the fall. Current sesame varieties require about 21° C. ground temperature to establish an adequate population. In most years, the ground is warm enough in South Texas in middle April and in southern Kansas in late May. Current sesame varieties require night temperatures above 5° C. for normal termination. In most years, the night temperatures are warm enough in South Texas until middle November and in southern Kansas until middle October. There have been years when cold fronts affect the growth of sesame in the middle of September in the north. East of Lubbock, Tex., the elevations begin climbing towards the Rocky Mountains, and there are later warm temperatures in the spring and earlier cold temperatures in the fall. In all years, if the sesame is planted as early as temperatures allow, lines with DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY of 105 days or less will have no problems even in years with an early frost. However, most areas are rainfed, and it is essential to have a planting rain before planting the sesame. Thus, the earlier the DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY of the variety, the more flexibility the farmers have with planting date. In South Texas, the goal is to have varieties with a DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY of less than 110 days while in southern Kansas the goal is less than 90 days. The mean DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY for S55 is 99 which allows it to be planted in all of the current sesame growing areas.

FIG. 6 provides the mean YIELD AT DRYDOWN (Character 10) of the selected Sesaco varieties in Uvalde and Lorenzo nurseries in 2008. In releasing a new variety, another important consideration is whether the yields will be comparable or better than the existing varieties. The yields of S55 are lower under the conditions tested than the comparison varieties, but still show an acceptable yield. The desirability of growing S55 is the black seed color with a commercially acceptable economic yield. The yield data is taken close to DAYS TO DIRECT HARVEST (Character No. 30) which is the ideal time to harvest. However, weather in the fall in the sesame growing areas of the U.S. can prevent harvest for up to a month subjecting the crop to rain, fog, dew, and wind. Those four factors increase the shattering, and the wind may bring on lodging. Subjective observations are that S55 loses less seed a month after the ideal harvest time because of the LODGING RESISTANCE (Character No. 31). FIG. 7 shows the LODGING RESISTANCE in the 2007 Uvalde and Lorenzo nurseries. S55 has very good LODGING RESISTANCE.

FIG. 8 provides the mean SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM THE 10CAP TEST (Character No. 33) of all direct harvest varieties between 1997 and 2008. For the past 30 years, the lower threshold for seed size in the U.S. markets has been 0.30 g. All of the compared Sesaco varieties surpass this threshold. The demand for larger seeds may not be as important with respect to black sesame as compared with light sesame seeds.

There are three morphological characters where S55 differs from the Sesaco varieties compared in Table IV: AVERAGE INTERNODE LENGTH WITHIN CAPSULE ZONE (Character No. 9), CAPSULE LENGTH (Character No. 17), and CAPSULE WEIGHT PER CM OF CAPSULE (Character No. 20). The INTERNODE LENGTH is shorter, the CAPSULE LENGTH IS longer, and the WEIGHT PER CM OF CAPSULE is lower. These characters are not important commercially, but they do help distinguish S55 from the other Sesaco varieties.

On Jul. 9, 2009, a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of sesame plant S55 was made by Sesaco Corporation under the provisions of the Budapest Treaty with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110-2209, and the deposit was given ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185. This deposit will be maintained in the ATCC depository for a period of 30 years or 5 years after the last request or for the enforceable life of the patent, whichever is longer. Should the seeds from the sesame line S55 deposited with the American Type Culture Collection become non-viable, the deposit will be replaced by Sesaco Corporation upon request.

The foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and characters for purposes of clarity and understanding. However, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the invention as limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A seed of sesame variety designated Sesaco 55 (S55), a sample of said seed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185.
 2. A sesame plant produced by growing the seed of sesame variety S55, a sample of said seed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185.
 3. Plant cells derived from a sesame plant, said plant produced by growing the seed of sesame variety S55, a sample of said seed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185.
 4. The plant cells of claim 3, comprising pollen.
 5. The plant cells of claim 3, comprising a tissue culture of regenerable cells.
 6. The plant cells of claim 3, comprising an asexually reproducing cultivar.
 7. A sesame plant having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of sesame variety S55, a sample of the seed of said variety having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185.
 8. A sesame plant regenerated from a tissue culture of regenerable cells produced from plant cells derived from sesame variety S55, a sample of said seed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185, wherein said regenerated sesame plant has all the physiological and morphological characteristics of said sesame variety S55.
 9. The sesame plant of claim 8, wherein said plant cells consist of cells derived from S55 seeds.
 10. The sesame plant of claim 8 wherein said plant cells consist of tissue from a sesame plant produced by growing the seed of sesame variety S55.
 11. A method of producing sesame seed, comprising crossing a first parent sesame plant with a second parent sesame plant and harvesting the resultant sesame seed, wherein said first or second parent sesame plant was produced by growing seed of sesame variety S55, a sample of said seed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10185. 